(La Porte, IN) - La Porte is being viewed by some as the basketball capital of Indiana this week after the Slicers defeated Lowell last night in a high school basketball game at the Civic Auditorium,  64 to 51.

 

Not only did the Slicers play at the historic Civic Auditorium last night, but some of the nation’s most talented college prep players will be competing starting Thursday in the nationally televised third-annual La Porte Invitational.

 

The Civic Auditorium used to be home for the Slicers in basketball until the high school gym was constructed in the 70’s.

 

A long time ago, college basketball coaching legend John Wooden, when he was coaching at the high school level, was there on several occasions with his teams from South Bend competing against La Porte.

 

Our very own Voice of the Slicers, Chip Jones, grew up next door to Wooden’s brother Bill on Indiana Avenue and was friends with John Wooden’s nephew.

 

Chip said Bill Wooden was shop teacher at Kesling Middle School and one day, while he was shooting baskets with a friend, Bill Wooden retrieved the ball as it was rolling away and provided a glimpse of his basketball talent.

 

“Bill Wooden, the brother, played at Purdue but hurt his back. He didn’t play very much. Mr. and Mrs. Wooden were walking by and the ball rolled out. He picks that thing up. It’s got to be 30 feet away from the sidewalk on this guy’s basket and he drills a two-hand set shot,” he said.

 

Bill Wooden remained in La Porte until his death while his brother, John Wooden, later won 10 NCAA championships at UCLA in the 60’s and 70’s.